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rubygranger's reviews
299 reviews
The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
2.0
The story in itself was gripping; however, I cannot say that I genuinely enjoyed the book. The idea was fantastic but there was A LOT squeezed into just a few hundred pages - that in itself could have made a trilogy! I really loved the descriptions of the school for good but I hated the injustices that the evil school faced... they do not receive rewards, and their punishments are excessively worse that those of the princes and princesses. I myself thought it to be rather frustrating, which I guess is in accordance with Agatha and Sophie, but it still made it rather an aggravating read. I felt dreadfully sorry for Sophie but then despaired at her actions and outlook of life so it was difficult to decide whether or not I was on her side. Agatha, on the other hand, is one of the best characters you will meet! I don't wish to finish the series but I want to find out what happens...
As Dead As It Gets by Katie Alender
4.0
Although I do not often indulge in Young Adult fiction, I decided upon picking up this novel, and I am so glad that I did! Alender evoked great fear whilst making the situation SOMEWHAT plausible. The only fault is the unnecessary yet customary relationship with "The Boy of Alexis's dreams". Nevertheless, I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
(I read "bad girls don't die" but can't find it on the system!)
(I read "bad girls don't die" but can't find it on the system!)
We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver
5.0
Harrowing. That is all I can say, really.
It's not even solely because of Kevin's attitude, but also the defensive and yet equally cold nature of Eva. As with any narrator, we empathise and take her side but there are moments where we have to seriously question her actions and whether she can be said to be in the right. Then again, she does recognise when she is wrong (for example with the bricks on the overpass) which increases her reliability, and the isolation that Kevin invokes in her mean that we cannot help but pity the woman. I cannot decide whether I like her or not actually because, especially when writing in the present tense, we can see such detachment from society and a pure melancholy that only one in her situation could feel.
It's not even solely because of Kevin's attitude, but also the defensive and yet equally cold nature of Eva. As with any narrator, we empathise and take her side but there are moments where we have to seriously question her actions and whether she can be said to be in the right. Then again, she does recognise when she is wrong (for example with the bricks on the overpass) which increases her reliability, and the isolation that Kevin invokes in her mean that we cannot help but pity the woman. I cannot decide whether I like her or not actually because, especially when writing in the present tense, we can see such detachment from society and a pure melancholy that only one in her situation could feel.